An occasional sampling of what’s catching the attention of folks at Landaas & Company
You’d think the housing market would benefit as mortgage rates got lower, but an article in the Wall Street Journal notes other obstacles to wannabe home buyers, including near-record housings prices and rising concerns about employment.
Suggested by Kendall Bauer
Although the Federal Reserve has had success lowering inflation by raising interest rates, it may have a tougher time improving labor conditions by cutting rates, an economist notes in an opinion piece on MarketWatch.
Suggested by Joel Dresang
In case you haven’t noticed, a post by Visual Capitalist shows the steep decline in the use of paper checks. Instead, more financial transactions are made through automated clearing house payments, which tend to be faster and more secure.
Suggested by Blake Miller
At a time when more indicators show a slowing U.S. economy, the gross domestic product continues to grow. That may be in part because of burgeoning corporate investments in artificial intelligence, according to an article in The New York Times.
Suggested by Tom Pappenfus
Prompted by the Federal Reserve’s quarter-point cut of interest rates in September, an economist writing in the Financial Times questions the central bank’s dual mandate of maximizing employment and price stability while also challenging the Fed’s 2% long-term inflation target. He proposes that 3% would be a more reasonable goal.
Suggested by Dave Sandstrom
Ongoing media reports on Roth IRA conversions continue to raise questions for retirees looking to minimize taxes. While investors should consult their advisors to learn what’s best for them, a couple of financial professionals on MarketWatch (subscription required) contend the move wouldn’t benefit most early retirees. Meantime, an article in Kiplinger suggests using a new tax deduction to help cover conversion tax costs.
Suggested by John Sandstrom
Amid a trend in which the federal government has been taking a direct stake in U.S. businesses, an article in the Wall Street Journal describes how funds from a trade deal with Japan could be plowed into selected stateside manufacturing.
Suggested by Kyle Tetting
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